Dr Ubaid Shah MBBS (Hons), DCH, MD, FRACP

Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

Description

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition characterized by severe pain, swelling and changes in the skin. It usually affects the arms, hands, legs or feet. It is also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy or causalgia. It usually begins after trauma such as an injury to the tissue, bone or nerves of your limb. With early treatment, CRPS may be prevented from getting worse.

Causes

The exact cause of CRPS is not known, however certain theories suggest that in some cases the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in sustaining the pain. It may also be caused by triggering the immune response, which can result in inflammatory symptoms of redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area.

Types

There are two forms of CRPS based on different causes:

CRPS I is triggered by a soft tissue injury, where nerve damage is not the primary cause

Whereas, CRPS II is triggered by damage to a nerve

Symptoms

The main symptom of CRPS is intense, burning pain that feels much worse than the injury and continues long after the injury has healed. Your child's skin colour may change to red, blue or white. The skin over the affected area may become tender, thin or shiny and sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Your child may also have muscle spasms, joint stiffness, and severe limited mobility in the affected area.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome is based on your child's medical history and physical examination. The best way to diagnose and treat CRPS is through a sympathetic block of the affected nerve plexus. The injected anaesthetic should numb the affected extremity. Pain relief and improved temperature of the extremity is a positive diagnostic test for CRPS.

Treatment Options

Treatment is aimed at relieving painful symptoms so that your child can resume a normal life. The following treatment options are often used:

Physical therapy to help decrease pain and improve range of motion and strength.

Cognitive behavioural therapy or psychotherapy can also be useful in helping you cope better with the pain.

Sympathetic nerve blocks: A nerve block is an injection of local anaesthetics into a group of nerves around the spinal column to provide relief from the pain and discomfort.

Intrathecal drug pump: In this technique, an external pump and implanted catheters may be used to administer pain-relieving medication into the spinal fluid to provide relief.

Spinal cord stimulation: This involves placement of stimulating electrodes next to the spinal cord. A small electrical current delivered to the spinal cord provides a pleasant tingling sensation to the painful area.

Surgical sympathectomy: It is a surgical technique that destroys the nerves involved in CRPS.

Complex regional pain syndrome causes intense pain that makes it difficult to use the affected part of the body. If your child experiences constant, severe pain that affects a limb and makes touching or moving that limb intolerable, see a doctor to determine the cause. It’s important to treat complex regional pain syndrome early to prevent the progression of the condition.